After spending nearly two decades on death row in Saudi Arabia, Abdul Rahim, a 46-year-old native of Kozhikode, Kerala, has finally returned home following a massive global crowdfunding effort that raised approximately ₹34 crore (15 million Saudi Riyals) as blood money to secure his release.
Rahim’s return marks the end of one of the longest and most closely followed legal battles involving an Indian expatriate in the Gulf.
From Kozhikode Driver to Saudi Prisoner
Before leaving for Saudi Arabia in 2006, Rahim worked as an autorickshaw driver in Feroke, Kozhikode. At the age of 26, he moved to Riyadh for work as a driver and caretaker for a Saudi sponsor’s family.
However, just weeks after his arrival, a tragic accident changed his life forever. On December 24, 2006, Rahim was driving when his hand accidentally came in contact with a medical life-support device attached to a 17-year-old differently-abled boy, the son of his employer. The boy later died.
Rahim was arrested the same day and later convicted by a Saudi court. By 2011–2012, he was sentenced to death under Saudi judicial law.
20 Years on Death Row and Legal Struggle
For nearly 20 years, Rahim remained imprisoned as legal efforts continued through his family, lawyers, and the Indian Embassy in Riyadh.
The breakthrough came in early 2024 when the victim’s family agreed to pardon him in exchange for “blood money” (diya), a provision under Saudi law allowing compensation in exchange for forgiveness.
A global fundraising campaign led by the Abdul Rahim Legal Aid Committee collected nearly ₹34 crore in just a few days, with contributions coming from expatriates, students, labourers, and business communities.
Rahim’s case became one of the largest people-driven legal aid campaigns in Kerala’s history.
“We Agreed to Forgive Him”: Family Accepted Blood Money
After the settlement, the Saudi court formally revoked Rahim’s death sentence in July 2024. However, he was required to complete a 20-year prison term, which officially ended in May 2026.
Indian Embassy officials confirmed that they coordinated closely with Saudi authorities throughout the process.
An embassy statement said, “We express our sincere gratitude to the Saudi authorities for their cooperation and to the Indian community for their unwavering support, solidarity and faith in the judicial process.”
Emotional Return to Kerala
Rahim landed at Calicut International Airport at around 7:35 AM on an Air India Express flight. He was received by family members, community leaders, and supporters who had gathered in large numbers.
Overcome with emotion, Rahim thanked those who stood by him during his long imprisonment.
“My heartfelt thanks to all those who supported me and prayed for me,” he said after arriving home.
At his residence in Kuttampuzha near Feroke, emotional scenes unfolded as he reunited with his mother, Fathima, after 20 years. She had spent every Eid praying for his return.
“I had only one prayer all these years, and today Allah reunited my son with me on Eid,” she said tearfully.
A Community-Led Campaign That Made History
The campaign to secure Rahim’s release saw unprecedented participation from the Malayali diaspora and residents of Kerala.
According to campaign organisers, the total funds raised exceeded ₹47 crore, including the amount required for blood money settlement and legal expenses.
Support came from daily wage workers, expatriates in the Gulf, students, and professionals, making it one of the fastest grassroots crowdfunding efforts in India’s legal aid history.
A Case That Shook Kerala and the Diaspora
Rahim’s case drew widespread attention over the years due to its tragic circumstances and prolonged imprisonment. While the incident was ruled an accident, Saudi law required compensation and a long judicial process.
His eventual release has been described by supporters as a rare example of international legal cooperation, community solidarity, and the use of crowdfunding in a life-and-death legal outcome.
“A Second Chance at Life”
Now back in Kerala, Rahim is expected to spend time with his family and gradually rebuild his life after two decades of incarceration.
For his family, his return on Eid has been described as nothing short of a miracle.
As one supporter at the airport said, “This is not just a homecoming. It is the return of hope after 20 years.”
